Sweeping fires devastate 30,000 rai of forest in Chiang Mai

Sweeping fires engulfed an estimated 30,000 rai (approximately 4,800 hectares) of forest across three districts in the province of Chiang Mai, reported local authorities. The flames, which sparked roughly a week ago, primarily ravaged the Ob Luang National Park.

The districts of Hot, Chomg Thong, and Mae Cham are the most severely impacted, with the fires still ablaze and uncontained. The source of these devastating fires is thought to be residents’ practices of foraging for edible foods and burning leftover farm waste.

When night falls, the fires are visible, casting a red glow across the sky. During daylight hours, white smoke blankets the areas, signifying the dry foliage’s rapid consumption by the rampant flames. Thossapol Puan-udom, the Deputy Governor of Chiang Mai, assured on Sunday, February 25, that he is directly involved in coordinating efforts to suppress the fires. The firefighting efforts are challenging due to the high mountain areas’ difficult terrain and the prevailing dry and hot weather conditions, reported The Pattaya News.

In a bid to manage the crisis, the fire command centre located in Hod district has appealed for aerial assistance. The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has responded positively and is currently seeking the Third Army Area’s aid to provide aircraft to combat the fires.

Besides, the Chiang Mai PM2.5 monitoring centre has spotted 69 hotspots in the region as of Sunday. The majority of these hotspots are located in the Hot district, with other affected areas including Mae Cham, Doi Tao, Chomg Thong, Mae Taeng, San Sai, Prao, Mae Kwang, and Chiang Dao districts.

“The fires have been visible at night, lighting the sky red, while during the day, white smoke covers the areas, indicating the consumption of dry foliage by the flames,” commented Thossapol Puan-udom. The Deputy Governor further stressed the importance of concerted efforts in tackling the fires, noting the challenging task due to the difficult terrain and current weather conditions.

As the situation unfolds, local authorities continue their relentless efforts to extinguish the fires, while residents are urged to exercise caution and cooperate with the authorities. The ongoing fires, while devastating, serve as a stark reminder of the need to manage resources responsibly and reinforce practices that protect and preserve the environment.

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